Coelioxys octodentata

Taxonomy

Coelioxys octodentata is a species of bee belonging to the genus Coelioxys within the family Megachilidae. It is commonly known as the eight-toothed leaf-cutter bee. The genus Coelioxys is known for its parasitic behavior, with species laying their eggs in the nests of other bees in the genus Megachile. The geographic distribution of C. octodentata spans across most parts of the United States and the southern parts of Canada.

Description

Coelioxys octodentata range in size from 8 to 12mm with females being larger than males. The thorax is wide and black with a saddle-shaped plate on top and a dense brush of white hairs at the front and back. The abdomen is black with dense white hair bands at the rear of each part. Female abdomens taper to a point for piercing nests, while males have abdomens that branch into eight teeth at the end (hence the name “octodentata”). The head is black with two big compound eyes and three ocelli on top. Antennae are thin and spindly, and the legs are reddish-brown.

Nest Structure

Coelioxys are often referred to as cuckoo bees due to their nesting behavior, which closely resembles that of cuckoo birds. Instead of constructing their own nests, female Coelioxys lay their eggs in the nests of bees in the genus Megachile. Once inside the host nest, the larvae consume the host's provisions. In the Bee Atlas project, one Megachile rotundata nest was parasitized by C. octodentata. The nest was in a hollow stem of Eutrochium purpureum.